Fresh Ink's Last Minute Holiday Gift Guide

How is it already the week of Christmas? Every year doesn't it feel like the holidays are all in fast-forward? Like every year I seem to be down to the wire with ordering and buying all of my Christmas presents, no matter how much I tell myself I will be finished by Thanksgiving! So for those of you wrapping-up or even just-starting your shopping this year, here are some great gifts we have in the store that would please anyone on your list! 

1. Seda France Room Spray

Whether it's a burnt casserole, kids or a lingering smell from having all of your relatives over, Seda France Japanese Quince Room Spray will knock all the unwanted scents out of your house and have it smelling divine in just a couple of sprays. The spray is super concentrated so it doesn't take much to fill a room and leave it smelling great for hours. The room spray is a great happy to give your friends or yourself this holiday!  $22

2. Lollia Hand Cream 

Lollia Hand Cream is by far our favorite hand lotion. It is super concentrated in Shea Butter so it really moisturizes and it won't leave your hands feeling oily or greasy, the lotion also absorbs quickly and leaves a light scent that really does last all day! These would be great to stuff in stockings or as an added happy to another gift, maybe a spa package? (we can dream, right?)  large $28, small $8

3. Lilly Pulitzer Planner

These bright and colorful planners are great for the teens or tweens in your life! They are full of color and cute quotes that make it fun writing down homework or orthodontist appointments! 

$26.95

4. Tokyo Milk Bon Bon Bubble Bath 

We all need a good soak after the holidays right? Tokyo Milk Bon Bon Bubble Bath is so luxurious you could give it to any woman in your life! If you are gifting it to someone else may we recommend you snag a bottle for yourself to, you will definitely be glad you did! $24.95

5. Gloveables 

Gloveables are so fun and fashionable they almost make the kitchen clean-up easy, almost! We have lots of fun patterns and colors in the store, these would also make great stocking stuffers for the ladies in your family or your for your girlfriends who love to clean and cook! $14.95

6. Bed Head/Needham Lane Pajamas

Bed Head or Needham Lane Pajamas make fabulous gifts! I practically live in mine on the weekends. They are super soft and come in so many fun patterns, great for lounging this holiday or the Christmas morning photo shoot! $65-140

7. Vintage School Calendars

We can't forget the men in our life right? These also make great gifts, whether under the tree or in a stocking. The calendar pages are perforated at the top, so when the year is offer you can take your favorite prints and frame them! Talk about a bang for your buck! We have State, Ole Miss, LSU and Alabama in the store. $22.95

8. Candy Cottage 

Candy Cottages are just plain genius! It is guaranteed to keep the little ones occupied for hours over the holidays. All you have to do is buy the icing and candy you want to use and then let them go wild. The Cottage is a blank canvas for creativity, it can also be used for other holidays, even birthdays! The cottage is plastic (BPA free) and the walls/roof snap together and apart so you can easily pop it in the dishwasher for clean up, how about that for a great holiday activity? 

$42

9. Jon Hart Weekender

Any piece of Jon Hart luggage would make a super gift for guy or girl, young or old! We have all shapes and sizes and in every color imaginable available for order. You can also customize your bag with a hot stamp or leave it plain. The Weekender (above) is our pick for the must have item in the collection. It is perfect for short weekend or holiday trips! 

Yes, it is getting a little close to order things, but you can do like we do in my family and wrap up a picture if the item doesn't come in time. $235

10. Juliska Berry and Thread Collection

Coffee Mug

Ramekin 

The Berry and Thread Collection from Juliska is so simple and beautiful, it makes a great addition to anyones collection because it comes in so many great colors. Our favorites are the coffee mugs and the ramekins. Either one would make a great gift this season. Use them for a morning pick-me-up or an afternoon sweet treat!

Mug $28,  Ramekin $14

Holiday Cards Any Way You Want Them!

The Holidays are officially here! Thanksgiving came and went with the flap of a turkey's wing and now that we are officially in December its time to get serious about shopping, decorations and of course your family holiday cards! 

No matter the occasion - dirty santa party, ornament swap, holiday toasts or your family christmas cards - we have hundreds of great options for you to choose from. And if you don't find anything in the store you just love our amazing staff can help you create anything you could ever dream up!!

Here are some fabulous examples for your holiday party:

for your adorable family holiday card: 

you could even announce a new engagement or marriage! 

If those aren't enough options or you don't have time to squeeze in a visit to our store, you can always order you holiday cards online at our new online shop! You can pick your card, upload your photo and ship them right to your door! How's that for Happy Holidays! 

www.freshink.myspstore.com

Happy Thanksgiving from Seda France and Fresh Ink!

This week we are thankful for oh-so many things family, friends, lots of good food, some rest from work annnnnnd Seda France! That's why we want to share the love with you. This offer is expires at the end of the work day today so shake your little tail feather and get down to Fresh Ink because you definitely don't want to miss it! 

If you buy 2 Seda France products we will give you the fabulous Travel Tin for free! Yes, FREE! I'm not kidding when I say that I never leave home on a trip without mine. It is the perfect size to throw in your make-up and pop-open if you encounter an odd smelling hotel room, some stinky kiddos or if you just want to relax with the wonderful aroma of Japanese Quince. 

Here is what we would pick for this amazing sale: 

The Autumn Spice Candle is definitely a seasonal favorite. It has the perfect blend of all the fall spices and the scent will last for hours after you have blown out your candle. With lots of family coming to town and the potential of a casserole or two getting a little extra done in the oven, this one is a must have! 

The Japanese Quince Hand Soap can be summed up in one word, incredible! Not only does it get your hands squeaky clean but the light scent will last and last. After using this soap I have had people stop me and ask me what perfume I'm wearing, no joke! 

Here is the shining star of the travel world, the Travel Tin! That will be yours for FREE with purchase of  any two Seda France items! 

We also have the Holiday Candles and soap in the store as well as a wide variety of the Seda France scents! 

Claire Frascogna Calligraphy

We were so very lucky to get to have the beautiful and talented Claire Frascogna offer her talents specifically to us for a calligraphy event we had last month at the store. Claire was in the store all day penning names for customers to use on whatever their hearts desired! Adding hand done calligraphy to a notecard or calling card adds such an elegant and unique touch! Majority of the calligraphy we see is on wedding invitations and envelopes but it is by no means limited to just weddings. 

This holiday season why not give the gift of beautiful personalized stationery, especially to that friend or family member that has everything! It's something so unique and special, they are sure to love it! 

Above are some examples of Claire's fantastic work. 

The artist hard at work in our store!

Thanks again Claire! We love working with you! 

If you are interested in hiring Claire for your wedding or to pen a name for some personalized stationery, contact us at Fresh Ink and we will put you in touch with her! 

Rehearsal Dinner Invitation Done Right!

This Rehearsal Dinner Invitation Suite is one of our all time favorites! The groom's mother did a wonderful job of thinking about every detail, from the specially designed logo to the Menu adorned with beautiful hand calligraphy. These are great example of how to incorporate intricate details into and invitation suite while keeping the overall design classic and simple. 

Brown card stock with green ribbon made just the right impression 

as guests pulled the invitation out of the envelope.

Menu for the Rehearsal Dinner with hand done calligraphy, Post Toast Invitation and the letterpressed Rehearsal Dinner Invitation. 

The menus were placed at each seat at the Rehearsal Dinner. Stunning! 

Letterpressed calligraphy paired with a classic roman typeface made the invitation oh-so-elegant. The invitation also included a blind strike of the wreath from logo which was just the cherry on top of this beautiful invitation sundae! 

We've got some really great invitation ideas coming your way in the next couple of weeks so be sure to check back to see all the beautiful ways we can help make your wedding exactly what you dream. Because the difference is in the details, right!?

We Heart Jon Hart

If you haven't been introduced to my imaginary boyfriend Jon Hart, please take a seat and let me have the pleasure of introducing you. It wasn't until my freshman year at Ole Miss that my eyes fell upon his genius. Thank goodness for all those Texas girls that came to school toting all of their matching Jon Hart pieces. Not only did they have beautiful luggage but they had make-up bags, computer cases, back- packs - you name it, they had it. I watched them prance into the dorms with my jaw on the floor, it didn't take me long to figure out who was creating these great bags, the one and only Jon Hart. 

He entered my life that year and I never want to live a moment without him! 

Now through October 31st you can get 10% off the sale price of select pieces in his collection. And Because Fresh Ink is so amazing, we are offering 15% off the sale price if you special order two pieces!! You can seriously find something for everyone on your list, go ahead and knock-out that Christmas list with one fell swoop! We have majority of the pieces in the store, stop by and check them out, you will fall in love, we promise! 

Here are some highlights to get you started:

Carry On Wheels, Normally $ 426 | Sale $ 399 

This piece is classic and stylish, a great go-to for leaving on a jet-plane or in your suburban. 

Odessa Tote, Normally $ 196 | Sale $ 175

This is seriously on of my favorite Jon Hart pieces. Man's best friend is his dog, a woman's best friend is this amazing tote. Since it is coated canvas, it is durable and easy to clean and it is the perfect size for anything "you might also need." From a computer to diapers, snacks to lunch, your tennis shoes or your pumps this bag has your back. 

The Weekender, Normally $ 242 | Sale $ 219

Packing for a weekend away is tough enough, trying to find just the right bag to take can sometimes be impossible. This bag isn't named the Weekender just-because. It really is the bag you need for those weekends away. It is large enough to fit all your outfit options as well as your toiletries, and any other miscellany you might need for your trip and just small enough for you carry around without breaking a sweat. 

Cooler, Normally $ 166 | Sale $ 149 

Let's face it, some of those portable coolers we own are just hideous!! Why do we even bother with them, they're too small to hold everything we need, they leak, the zippers break, phew! This cooler is so fashionable you could carry it as just a regular bag. Take it on the plane as your carry on and then use it as your cooler at the beach. This piece is as functional as it is pretty.

*Every piece is completely customizable, you can pick your fabric, color and even put a monogram on them if you want! 

In Review: 

Order one piece and get 10% off the sale price

Order two pieces and get 15% off the sale price

Create a Halloween Table with Fresh Ink!

"Double, Double toil and trouble, fire burn and cauldron bubble" Shakespeare

The air is crisp outside, the leaves are starting to turn and there are pumpkins, ghosts, goblins and candy peeking out around every corner. Creating a fabulous and fun table for your Halloween party could be the easiest thing ever or could have you running from store to store picking up these napkins here and that centerpiece there. All you really need to do is stop by Fresh Ink! We have everything you need for your Halloween fun, aside from costumes and candy, that is! Here are some of our favorites:

1. Sparkly Silhouettes,  $14

Great decor around the house or on a table. 

2. Halloween Invite

Set the mood for your spooktacular party with invites from Fresh Ink

3. Boo Cups, $6.95

Cute cups that make cleaning up a snap; they would also be a fun hostess gift! We also have these in "it's all about the candy" and "Happy Fall Yall"

4. Halloween Invite

5. Bite Me Napkins, $5.50

Add some sass to your party with these fun napkins.

6. Pumpkin Place Mat, $5.95

These festive place mats make cleaning up after your little goblins as simple as a nose-twitch. 

7. Peace, Love and Candy Corn Plates, $5.50 

Cute Halloween plates, what more can you say?

8. Orange & White Polka Dot and It's all about the Candy Napkins. $5.50

Mix and match your napkins, why not?

9. It's all about the Candy Cups, $14.95

More sturdy than the Boo cups but just as much fun! 

10. Colored Votive Holders, $5 

Add some light and color to your table with these. 

11. Sparkly Spider Rings, $ 7.95

A fun gift or something fun for you to wear! 

Hostess Gifts, Me Oh My!

You're pregnant, you're married or you're fabulous - either way you will at some point need to shower (with gifts) the lovely people that host elaborate showers (or parties) for you. We have so many great gift options in the store that it can be hard to make up your mind. so we are here to help! We narrowed it down and these are our picks, for the moment, of some great hostess gifts:

Seda France Hand Soap, $20

Give to the friend who wants gifts "she can use". 

By now you are definitely aware of our deep love for all of Seda France's luxurious products. It's safe to say you can always find a candle burning in the store. We were first hooked on tho candles and now we are addicted to the hand soap! Japanese Quince is a great choice, if you aren't sure which scent to go with. Your hostesses will love this gift and think of you each time they use their soap. 

Custom Enclosure Cards, starting at $20

Give to your friend who loves to give!

These beautiful cards are a thoughtful and personal gift. There are lots of designs to choose from or we can create something custom for you in the store. Your hostesses will love that they can keep on giving with your lovely gift! 

Tamara Childs Bowl, $30

Give to your friend who loves a statement piece. 

These Tamara Childs Bowls are so beautiful! They are the perfect size for so many things - use them in the bathroom to hold cotton balls, set them on a table filled with potpourri or use them to hold tasty snacks. We have them in gold and silver, your hostesses will love the glam gift they can use as an accent just about anywhere in their home. 

Fall Trends Hot Off the Runway

As most of you fabulous ladies already know, this week was Fashion Week in NYC. I have been scouring the runway looks and here are 3 of my favorite fall trends that you can pull off effortlessly!

What's Hot? Colored Denim
Wear it to your casual fall parties!

Try these: J Brand from Anthropologie 

Color color is everywhere on the runway for fall, specifically color blocking (combining bold colors in one outfit). For those of us not ready to stop traffic with color, wearing color denim is a great choice. There are so many wonderful colors for fall that I think would look great at a tailgate, running around town or at dinner- paired with the right tops of course! 

What's Hot? Loafers + Leopard
Wear them to Thanksgiving (you'll be hotter than the turkey!)

Try these: Howie High Heel Haircalf Pump from Tory Burch 

This is a trend I am so so so excited to see come back (both of them)! Loafers and animal print are back in a big way! Choose one animal print piece to set off your outfit or go with an animal print for your accessories and you can't go wrong this fall. Loafers of all shapes and sizes are walking up and down the runways, hooray for some stylish new flats in our wardrobe! Tory Burch combines both of these trends of the moment beautifully with these leopard loafers, are they not fabulous? 

What's Hot? Maxi Skirts 
Wear when hosting a holiday party (champagne in hand, of course)

Try this: ASOS Pleated Maxi Skirt 

Whether it's a high waist, pleated, or a bold color the maxi skirt was whooshing across the runway! You can dress it up or dress it down, these skirts transition fabulously from day to night. Pick a bold color, a pattern or go with a neutral. 

Products We Love

Where oh where to start with our love for Juliska? How about a big sigh? all of Juliska's pieces are just beautiful, perfect for everyday, a special dinner party,  or a wedding gift! Today's post features only the ceramics line, but we also have beautiful glass pieces in the store. The greatest thing about Juliska is that you could buy an entire collection or mix-and-match collections and have a drop-dead gorgeous table either way! 

Berry & Thread Ice Blue Bowl, $29

First up, the bowls from the Berry & Thread Collection. I am in love; they are great for everyday cereal or for serving soup at a dinner party. The Berry & Thread is just simply a classic. 

Berry & Thread Mugs (Pistachio and Ice Blue), $27 each

Let's be honest, we all function a little better with some caffeine in our tanks. So why not drink it out of a beautiful mug! We also have a smaller mug in store that would be great for tea or coffee, but I prefer a large cup of coffee with my mornings! 

Berry & Thread Pistachio Green Plate, $ 39

Jardins Salad Plate, $ 42 

The Jardins du Monde collection, pays homage to four of the world’s most beautiful gardens - Landriana in Italy, Villandry in France, Alcazar in Spain, and Heligan in England.  The collection can stand alone or serve to add a dash of grandeur to the classic Berry and Thread collection. Evocative of time-worn statues, pebble pathways, and lilies, Whitewash is eternally elegant.

Jardins Large Canister, $198 

Products we love is a new section of the Fresh Ink blog, all about items that stay at the top of our wish list.  All items can be purchased at Fresh Ink (Hooray!) 

Late Summer Cheese Plate How-to

image found via sproutedkitchen.

Having friends over and haven't had time to whip-up a Martha-style spread? Well look no further than your own pantry because guaranteed you have all the ingredients to throw together a gourmet style cheese plate in no time! 

For this time of year, stick with the lighter cheeses; Bries and bleus are so delicious but are a little heavy for the late-summer weather. You probably already have most of these in your fridge, but if not, any local grocery should have them on hand. Try these tasty combinations: 

Parmigiano Reggiano with raw honey

Chevre rolled in lemon thyme, chives, rosemary to taste and ground pepper

Manchego with apricot jam 

Baby Mozerella with slow roasted yellow tomatoes, basil and balsamic reduction

Add your favorite crackers, a variety of nuts,  and you have a cheese plate to wow the masses! 

Here are some of the great items we have at Fresh Ink that will make your cheese presentation even more beautiful: 

Galvanized Metal Pedestals $22, $35, $45

Add height to your spread with these Galvanized Metal Pedestals. They are one of my favorite items we have in the store right now because they are so pretty, lightweight and you can use them for anything-parties, florals, tailgating, etc. 

Monogrammed Wooden Cutting-Board $34

Serve-up your crackers and cheese on this beautiful wood monogramed cutting board. The board is great for parties and everyday use. 

Cheese Tasting Party Kit $16.95 

Make setting up your cheese plate even easier with the Cheese Tasting Party Kit which includes cards profiling 50 cheese varieties and the best wines to drink with them, decorative labels on which to write each cheese selection, and toothpicks that attach the labels right into the cheese. There is also a checklist that lets you track your cheese samplings and a tri-fold card that offers advice on buying, storing and pairing cheeses. This would be great for your party or as a gift for a friend hosting a party. 

Govino set of 4 wine glasses $13.95

If you're like me you need a little vino to go with your cheese. The Govino glasses we have at Fresh Ink are perfect for a party.  The glasses are great, not only because they look just like crystal, but they are made of BPA free plastic and completely recyclable!